How often should you clean your ears?

Ear hygiene is an important part of overall health and hygiene. Cleaning the ears regularly can help prevent ear infections, remove excess earwax, and maintain good hearing. However, it’s also possible to over-clean ears, which can irritate the delicate skin of the ear canal. So how often should you clean your ears? Here is a quick look at the recommendations.

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Quick Answers

Here are the quick answers on how often to clean your ears:

Most experts recommend cleaning the outer ears weekly with a damp cloth to remove debris and dirt.
Use an ear cleaner specially formulated to gently remove excess earwax and debris from the outer ear and ear canal when needed, usually every 1-3 months.
Never insert cotton swabs or other objects into the ear canal, as this can push earwax deeper and irritate the eardrum.

See a doctor if experiencing blockage, pain, discharge, bleeding, odor, ringing, hearing loss, or other symptoms, as you may need professional ear cleaning or treatment.

How Often to Clean Outer Ears

The outer ear includes the pinna (the part you can see) and the ear canal entrance. Debris, dead skin, sweat, and dirt can build up in the ridges, creases, and folds of the outer ear. Gently wiping the outer ears weekly with a clean, damp cloth will help remove this debris and keep the ears clean.

Using a damp cloth weekly to clean just the outer ear area is sufficient for most people. Cotton swabs or other objects should never be inserted into the ear canal, as this can push earwax deeper into the canal and irritate or damage the eardrum. Only the outer ear area should be cleaned, not inside the ear canal.

Outer Ear Cleaning Tips

Gently wipe the outer ears with a clean, damp cloth weekly.
Do not insert anything into the ear canal.
Be very gentle during cleaning to avoid hurting the ear.

Never use items like bobby pins, keys, or paperclips to clean ears.
Do not dig at stubborn debris – let it naturally loosen over time.
Dry ears thoroughly after washing.

See a doctor if you notice signs of infection like odor, discharge, or pain.

How Often to Clean Inside Ears

The ear canal and eardrum are located past the outer ear inside the head. This inner ear area is self-cleaning and produces earwax to trap dirt and bacteria. The old earwax naturally migrates out of the ear over time and sheds.

While the ears are self-cleaning, sometimes excess earwax can build up and block the ear canal, causing discomfort or hearing problems. Special ear cleaners, also called ear irrigation kits or ear drops, can help remove excess wax and debris from the ear canal.

Most experts recommend using an ear cleaner to gently flush the ear canal every 1-3 months or as needed if experiencing blockage symptoms. Never try to dig out earwax with cotton swabs or other objects, as this forces it deeper into the canal.

When to Clean Inside Ears

Every 1-3 months as part of routine hygiene.
When wax buildup blocks the ear canal and causes symptoms.

When advised by a doctor if excess wax is seen during an exam.
After an ear infection has been treated and cleared up.

See a doctor right away if you have severe blockage, pain, discharge, or sudden hearing loss, as medical treatment may be needed.

How to Safely Clean Inside Ears

Here are some tips for safe and effective inner ear cleaning at home:

Use a specially designed ear wax removal kit with an irrigation bulb or bottle to gently flush the ear canal.
Apply ear drops for several days before irrigation to soften wax and facilitate removal.

Always follow product instructions carefully.
Flush gently and stop if pain or discomfort occurs.
Do not irrigate ears if the eardrum is perforated.

Always dry ears thoroughly after irrigation.
Do not attempt ear irrigation if you have tubes or a ruptured eardrum.
See a doctor if complete blockage persists after attempted at-home removal.

While irrigation kits are generally safe when used properly, always consult a doctor first if you have concerns or questions about your ears.

Who Should Clean Ears Regularly

Here are some groups of people who may need more frequent ear cleaning:

Children: Young children are prone to earwax blockages and ear infections. Pediatricians often recommend regular outer ear cleaning with a damp cloth and periodic inner ear irrigation if blockage occurs.

Earplug wearers: People who wear earplugs for swimming, noise protection, or sleep may experience more earwax buildup. Monthly irrigation and outer ear cleaning may be advised.
Hearing aid or ear bud users: Hearing aids and in-ear devices can pack earwax deeper into the canal. Cleaning may be needed as often as monthly.
Elderly adults: Older adults produce drier, thicker earwax that can block the ears. Monthly irrigation or more often may help.

People with ear deformities or narrow canals: Those with small or deformed ear canals are prone to blockage. See a doctor to determine an appropriate cleaning schedule.

Consult your doctor if you frequently deal with excess earwax to determine the safest and most effective cleaning regimen for your ears.

How Often to Clean Ears of Children

Cleaning children’s ears requires special care. Here are some guidelines from pediatricians on kids’ ear hygiene:

Gently wipe the outer ears clean with a damp cloth once a week.
Do NOT insert cotton swabs or other objects into the child’s ear canal.
If wax blockage occurs, talk to a pediatrician about safe earwax removal options.

Watch for signs of ear infection like fever, tugging at ears, balance issues.
After swimming, gently dry child’s ears with a towel to prevent trapped water.
Follow doctor’s instructions if child has ear tubes or a ruptured eardrum.

Consult a pediatric ENT doctor if frequent ear infections occur.

Never try to remove something stuck in a child’s ear at home. See a pediatrician to have objects gently removed under magnification. Proper cleaning and attention can help kids avoid many painful ear problems.

Risks of Cleaning Ears Too Frequently

Over-cleaning ears can cause some unwanted side effects. Here are some risks to be aware of:

Irritation – Excessive cleaning can irritate the sensitive skin of the ear canal.
Infection – Scratches or abrasions from cleaning can become infected.
Packed earwax – Using cotton swabs pushes earwax deeper into the canal.

Hearing loss – Irritation of the eardrum from cleaning can cause temporary hearing problems.
Dizziness – Irrigating too forcefully can cause dizziness or nausea.
Eardrum rupture – Pressure from irrigation water or sharp objects can rupture the eardrum.

Cleaning the outer ears weekly and the inner ears monthly is usually sufficient for most people. Always consult your doctor if ear pain, discomfort, or other symptoms occur after cleaning.

Professional Ear Cleaning

For those unable to safely and effectively clean their ears at home, professional ear cleaning is available. Here is some information about medical ear cleaning services:

Performed by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) or audiologist.

Uses specialized tools like microsuction to gently vacuum earwax.
May use magnification tools to see into the ear canal.
Great for fully removing stubborn buildup.

Indicated for those with excessive wax, obstruction symptoms, or ear damage.
Usually covered fully or in-part by health insurance plans.
Can provide a prescription for ongoing wax control.

Talk to your doctor about whether medical ear cleaning is recommended based on your individual ear health and risk factors.

Conclusion

Most experts suggest gently cleaning the outer ears weekly and using an ear cleaner to remove excess earwax from inside the ear canal every 1-3 months. Some groups prone to buildup may need to clean ears more often. Children require very gentle cleaning of just the outer ear area. See a doctor if symptoms of blockage, pain or hearing issues occur for professional cleaning and treatment. With a proper cleaning routine, ears can stay healthy and comfortable.